AANI President Extols Virtues of Nasarawa Emir

The newly elected President of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (for Policy and Strategic Studies) AANI, Major-General (rtd) Lawrence Anebi Onoja, CFR, PhD, mni, today (19-03-2013) led a delegation of AANI members on a courtesy call to His Royal Highness, Alhaji Hassan Ahmed II, mni the Emir of Nasarawa at his palace in Nasarawa town, Nasarawa State.

General Onoja said the purpose of the visit was to thank the Emir and express the Association’s deep appreciation for his continued fatherly blessings, guidance and untiring support. “Your Royal Highness,” said General Onoja, “your presence as the Special Guest of Honour at AANI’s 33rd Annual General Meeting at NIPSS, Kuru, during which I was overwhelmingly elected with over 90 percent of the votes as our Association’s President on March 2, 2013 was a lesson in humility and patriotism.”

Continuing, the AANI President said he and his team had come to the Royal Father’s palace, to personally “express our profound gratitude for the support you have been consistently giving to our Association.”

The former Military Governor of Plateau State and later Katsina State said the new AANI EXCO shall reach out to Members of the Heritage Council and expressed confidence that HRH Hassan Ahmed II shall serve as a solid bridge in seeking the guidance and support of the highly respected Council members of AANI.

In conclusion, General Onoja, who was the Monitor General of Senior Executive Course 12 at NIPSS, assured the Emir that the new AANI EXCO will strive to carry along all members “in lifting the Association to higher levels in terms of proactive contribution towards the solution of the key challenges facing our country, particularly security to life and property, as well as helping the government of the day to convert research findings towards the betterment of the living standard of Nigerians.” He also said that under his watch, AANI shall work very closely with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in coordinating and helping to implement research findings that can move Nigeria forward in all spheres of human Endeavour.

In his remarks, HRH Alhaji Hassan Ahmed II welcomed General Onoja and his new EXCO, adding that he felt greatly honoured by the courtesy call. The Emir, who was a member of the pioneer participants of Senior Executive Course 1, which included personalities like former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, General David Jemibewon among others, appealed to the new EXCO to use their good offices skills and experience in promoting AANI’s motto of “Towards a better society.”

The Royal Father assured General Onoja and his team, that he will always support AANI’s efforts in building a better Nigerian society where peace, prosperity and harmony shall reign.
Other AANI members who spoke and extolled the Emir’s exemplary leadership during the visit were, Alhaji Farouk U. Muhammad, mni a retired Senior Management Staff of OPEC Fund, Vienna, Austria; the Chairperson of AANI Abuja Chapter, Dr. Kate Nwufo, mni; and Chief Andrew Idakwo, mni, a retired Director in the Federal Civil Service.

Signed by Dr. Bello Rabiu Alkali, mni
National Publicity Secretary AANI